The Concert and Entertainment Task Force appointed last December by
Mayor Don Wesely today released its report and made recommendations on
how to increase the number of concerts in the city. Those
recommendations include a proposal to again seek permission to have
alcohol available at age-appropriate concerts at the Pinewood Bowl in
the city-owned Pioneers Park, a plan rejected by the City Council last
October. The Task Force is also asking that it be given the authority
to continue as an advisory board to follow-up on its recommendations and
to promote entertainment in the city.

"The Task Force was charged with determining if Lincoln has a problem
attracting concerts and other entertainment events and if facilities or
policies are creating obstacles," Mayor Wesely said. "This report
confirms that we do have problems, discusses contributing factors and
outlines some ideas to improve the concert and entertainment picture in
Lincoln."

Jim Ritzman of Arjay Advertising, who chaired the task force, said the
determining factor in attracting concerts is economics -- whether or not
organizers feel they can make a profit. He said concerts are getting
more expensive to produce, and ticket prices are increasing.

"Higher ticket prices are a problem, because our Task Force survey
showed an unwillingness by Lincoln concert-goers to pay more than $50 a
ticket," Ritzman said. "Two other factors are a lack of appropriate
concert venues and our close proximity to Omaha."

The survey was conducted by one of five Task Force subcommittees, and
results were released earlier this month. (Complete survey results are
posted on the city's web site: www.lincoln.ne.gov.) The other
subcommittees were charged with creating an inventory of venues,
studying UNL's involvement, determining if corporate support is
available and re-examining the alcohol issue available at Pinewood
Bowl, which seats about 8,000.

The report includes the following conclusions:

Lincoln has a lack of venues, especially those with a capacity of 900
to 2,500. Many artists who have developing audiences here are not able
to return because of the lack of available concert sites.

The increased cost of shows is making it difficult to break even at
Pershing Auditorium with its capacity of only 6,500.

Use of the Bob Devaney Sports Center is limited by commitments to
sports and other activities.

The new facility to be built in Omaha is expected to further limit
Lincoln's ability to draw concerts.

The report also concludes that, as one of the finest natural
amphitheaters in the country, Pinewood Bowl offers one of the most
positive opportunities to increasing the quantity and quality of
concerts in Lincoln. Ritzman said alcohol sales are also pivotal to
increasing concert activity at Pinewood Bowl and can make the difference
between a break-even event and a loss.

"It is important to stress that alcohol is not the focus at Pinewood
Bowl," Ritzman said. "Our goal is to bring more concerts and
entertainment to this under-utilized venue. No one is proposing alcohol
sales for every event or every park location."

The Task Force recommends that the Mayor seek the approval of City
Council and the Parks and Recreation Board to allow a series of three to
six concerts or events at Pinewood Bowl that would appeal to audiences
of different ages and interests. Permission would be sought for
alcohol sales only at those shows that are age-appropriate. Approval
would be for one summer concert season only and would be subject to
re-approval after completion of the trial season.

The report recommends the Pinewood Bowl effort include tours, a safety
review with law enforcement, an assessment of the infrastructure, a
review of legal precedents and public awareness efforts.

The Task Force also recommends a focus on the development or
redevelopment of venues with a capacity of 1,000 to 4,000; exploring the
underwriting of shows to help hold the line on ticket prices; an effort
to provide more opportunities for adult mainstream music concerts at the
Lied Center; and the creation of student marketing and promotion teams.

The Task Force also supports the upcoming study on the future of
Pershing. The city is hiring a consultant to conduct the study, and a
request for proposals is expected to be released late next week.

The final report and the subcommittee reports are available
by calling Diane Gonzolas at 441-7831.